Joyride Watersports Gozo

Joyride Watersports Gozo is a family-run business on the sand at Hondoq Bay, in the village of Qala on the eastern edge of Gozo. Its welcome to visitors is simple: no stay on the island feels complete without a visit to the bay, whether you want something gentle in a kayak or something faster on a jet ski. If you prefer to explore on your own timetable, the self-drive boats let you head out towards Comino and around the Gozo coast at whatever pace suits your group.

It sits in our directory of water sports in Malta, and the island it serves is covered in more depth in our Gozo guide, which is a good place to start if you are planning a first visit.

Where to find Joyride at Hondoq Bay

Hondoq Bay is a small beach on the Qala side of Gozo, looking across the channel towards Comino. The Joyride base is on the beach itself, marked by a big yellow umbrella, so there is no marina office to hunt for and no complicated meeting point. You simply walk down to the sand and ask for the team.

The bay has practical advantages for a day out with family or friends. There is plenty of parking, so you do not have to worry about leaving a hire car or rolling the dice on a space. A kiosk serves food, cold drinks and ice cream, and public toilets are available at the beach. That combination makes it easy to spend several hours here, mixing time on the water with time on the sand. Our best beaches in Malta page compares other bays if you want to see how Hondoq fits among them.

Boat trips and self-drive boat rental

Joyride offers two ways to get afloat on a boat. The first is a boat trip, where the crew takes you out and you simply sit back. The second is self-drive boat rental, which suits anyone who would rather explore the coasts of Gozo and Comino at their own pace. Details of each trip and hire option, including durations and costs, are given by the business when you enquire, so mention your group size and the time you have available.

The sea between Gozo and Comino is the main draw. Many visitors head for the sheltered, shallow waters around the Blue Lagoon on Comino, which our guide describes, and boats from Gozo are one of the usual ways to reach it. If you want to be sure of enjoying the water, read our Malta weather guide first, since wind and swell vary through the year.

Jet skis, wakeboarding and other water sports

The water sports side of the business covers a wide range. Jet ski hire is there for anyone who wants speed. Wakeboarding and water skiing are towed from a boat and suit those who like a more active session. The crazy shark ride is a towed inflatable aimed at groups looking for a bit of fun, and kayaks and canoes give a quieter option for paddling along the shoreline.

Because these activities differ in effort and thrill, it helps to tell the team who is coming, including the ages of any children and whether anyone is a complete beginner. Any age limits, safety briefings and rules are matters for the business to confirm when you enquire. For ideas that go beyond the water, our things to do in Malta guide covers the wider islands, and the Malta holidays overview helps with planning the whole trip.

Planning a visit from the UK

UK visitors fly into Malta and then cross to Gozo. Flights into the island group arrive at Malta, and our guide to flights to Malta explains the routes from London and other UK airports. If you plan to base yourself on Gozo, hotels in Gozo are listed separately, while those staying on the main island might also look at where to stay in Malta.

As with any open-water activity, plan around the weather and wear sun protection, since the beach has little cover beyond what you bring. Then, when you are ready, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Joyride Watersports Gozo.